And the Oscar for Top Terrorism Flick…

'Argo' has emerged as the favorite, but 'Zero Dark Thirty' is a more original film—and more truthful

By

Alex Berenson

Feb. 15, 2013 8:08 p.m. ET

Two months ago, "Zero Dark Thirty" seemed to be the leading candidate to win any number of Oscars for its painstaking re-creation of the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Now Hollywood has shunted it aside for "Argo," the overwhelming favorite to take the best-picture award next week.

That shift is a shame. This year the Oscars are about more than golden statues. Despite their surface similarities, "Argo" and "Zero Dark Thirty" have little in common. They neatly illustrate the difference...